🧶Skein

Hidden inside the grid are several words that all fit today's theme. Find them all to clear the board.

• Trace each word by tapping adjacent letters — letters touch each other horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.
• Every cell on the grid belongs to exactly one theme word. When you've found them all, the grid is fully covered.
• One of the theme words is the spangram — it touches two opposite edges and captures the theme in a single word.
• Find a valid English word that isn't a theme word? It earns you a hint (3 such words = 1 hint). Hints outline the cells of an unfound theme word, and you'll be asked to confirm before one is spent.

The grid

Skein gives you a 6 wide × 8 tall grid of letters and a theme — today it's Fresh coat of paint. Every letter is part of one of the theme words (or the spangram). When you find them all, the grid is "covered".

Building a guess

1. Tap any letter to start a word. It turns into your active selection.
2. Tap an adjacent letter (any of the 8 cells touching it) to extend the word.
3. Tap any already-selected letter to deselect it (and everything you added after it).
4. When happy with your word, tap Submit or press Enter.

What happens when you submit

• Theme word: the path locks in, cells colour blue, and your words tally ticks up. The tally counts every word in the grid, including the spangram.
• Spangram: cells colour gold — this is the marquee word that touches two opposite edges.
• Any other valid English word (at least 4 letters): it doesn't progress the puzzle, but counts as a "bonus word". Every three bonus words earns you one hint.
• Not a real word, or already played: a brief shake, no penalty.

Using a hint

Tap Use hint when at least one is ready. Skein highlights the cells of one unfound theme word so you can see its shape on the grid. You still have to work out which letters connect into the word and submit it yourself.

Tips

• Hunt for long, distinctive words first — once a long word is found, the remaining regions are easier to spot.
• The spangram is the most-connected word on the board. Look for letter chains that run between opposite edges.
• British spellings throughout: COLOUR, HARBOUR, CENTRE.